The two-day South Asia Labor Mobility Conference concluded in Bhutan under the joint auspices of the Royal Government of Bhutan and the World Bank.
The summit brought together policymakers, economists, and stakeholders from various countries to address the challenges and opportunities surrounding labour migration.
Representing India, Odisha’s Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, who also serves as the Chairman of the Task Force for Migrant Workers, participated actively.
In discussions with Bhutanese Prime Minister Lyonchhoen Tshering Tobgay, Singh Deo emphasised the importance of regional collaboration to safeguard migrant workers’ rights and strengthen labour mobility frameworks.
Odisha’s Initiatives for Migrant Workers
During the conference, Shri Singh Deo highlighted significant statistics on labor migration in India, noting that 10 crore workers migrate annually, often facing difficulties in accessing welfare schemes in their home states.
According to the 2011 census, 139 million Indians have migrated within the country, with Odisha having 14 migration-prone districts.
The Odisha Government has implemented various policies to improve the lives of migrant workers, including:
- Regulating informal recruitment chains to prevent exploitation
- Creating awareness for informed migration
- Strengthening skill development linkages
- Working on inter-state portability of services
- Establishing migrant labor help desks
- Setting up district-level emergency relief funds of ₹15 lakh each
Additionally, the PAReSHRAM portal provides 67 online services, including migrant worker registration, enabling better tracking and support.
A Boost to Regional Labor Cooperation
The presence of global experts, including World Bank’s Managing Director of Operations Anna Bjerde, Chief Economists Franziska Ohnsorge and Roberta Gatti, and representatives from Maldives, Jamaica, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Canada, Middle East, Australia, Italy, and the Philippines, demonstrated a shared commitment to strengthening labor mobility frameworks.
Speaking at the event, Odisha Dy CM Singh Deo remarked, “Migration is a multifaceted reality that deeply impacts economic growth and people’s quality of life. Cross-border cooperation is essential to address challenges faced by migrant workers and enhance their well-being.”
The conference is expected to pave the way for enhanced inter-governmental collaborations, improved policies, and stronger worker protection mechanisms across South Asia and beyond.
